‘Baywatch’ receives ‘A’ certificate, Pahlaj Nihalani justifies why

A couple of days back, we came across reports of CBFC officials being unhappy with several bikini sequences in Priyanka Chopra’s Hollywood debut ‘Baywatch’. Many assumed that the film will come out scissored. On Friday, it was given an ‘A’ certificate and also received five cuts (one visual, four verbal). However, bikini ain’t the reason, says CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani.

“There was no rationale to cut the bikini images. For one, the series ran on satellite television in India for years and contained lengthy shots of women in bikinis. Secondly, Indian filmmakers really need to stop making such a big issue about bikinis. Go to Goa or Mauritius. The beaches are carpeted with women in bikinis. What is the big deal about such shots?,” he told DNA during a conversation. (Also Read: Guess what happened when Gordon Ramsay was asked to judge Priyanka Chopra’s food!)

The ‘A’ certificate can be rather credited to repeated usage of cuss language in the film.

“’Baywatch’ is crammed with cuss words and filthy language. We deleted portions where we thought the smutty language was unnecessary. But we’ve allowed the bad language in several dialogues because we felt cutting them took away from the flavour and intention of the words. I’d like to stress that we’ve given an ‘A’ certificate, not just for the bikinis, but for the strong language as well,” Nihalani added.

Priyanka’s character, named Victoria Reeds, is of the villain. The film releases worldwide on 2nd June.

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.